§ Lord Gray of Continasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the current retained profits and reserves of the 10 water authorities in England and Wales.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Transport successfully negotiated a satisfactory end-date for the UK derogations from the Community maximum lorry weight limits. Against a Commission proposal that our derogation should end in 1996 he insisted that we needed more time to bring sufficient of our bridges up to suitable strength. It was a major achievement that the 40 tonne gross and 11.5 tonne drive axle weight limits will not apply in the UK until 1st January 1999.
931WAThe Council also agreed to an improved inter-regional air services directive; a regulation to improve the working of air transport computer reservation systems, but with suitable data protection; a directive on road haulage statistics; a resolution highlighting the need for improved co-operation in air traffic control; and conclusions reaffirming the need to make progress in the Community's transit negotiations with Austria, Switzerland and Yugoslavia. The Commission's proposal on charging infrastructure costs to heavy goods vehicles was referred to finance ministers. Against the United Kingdom's wishes, but on qualified majority voting, the Council agreed to increase the maximum permitted length of articulated vehicles from 15.5 to 16.5 metres; and to adopt a measure requiring a minimum tyre tread depth of 1.6 millimetres over three-quarters of tyres' width.
There was discussion but no agreement on a proposed short-term road haulage cabotage experiment; blood alcohol levels for drivers; the wearing of seat belts; and West Africa shipping.
The Commission presented a proposal on shipping "positive measures" and a revised proposal for Community spending on transport infrastructure. There was some general discussion on the environment and transport under Any Other Business.